Schwarzenegger re-nominates failed lt. gov. pick

SACRAMENTO, Calif. 
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he will re-nominate his failed pick for lieutenant governor rather than face a costly legal battle against the Legislature.

Schwarzenegger is asking the Legislature to vote again on the nomination of Republican state Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria. He made the request in a statement Friday.

The Senate approved Maldonado's nomination this week, but the Assembly rejected it.

Schwarzenegger initially had vowed to put Maldonado into the lieutenant governor's spot because the Assembly failed to garner an absolute majority of 41 votes against him. He was voted down Thursday 37-35.

The Assembly Speaker's office saw it differently, threatening a legal battle between the Legislature and the governor.